Is the Conservatory Closing as a Separate Structure? YPK Issues Statement

The rectorate of the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan is opposed to the program of optimization and consolidation of universities. The conservatory issued a statement about this on its Facebook page.

It is noteworthy that just a few days ago, the "Zhoghovurd" newspaper reported that the complete list of 5 fields in which the program for the optimization and consolidation of universities will be implemented had become known. The newspaper states that there will be 5 areas of higher education in Armenia: “Arts”, “Education”, “Medicine”, “Classical”, and “Technologies”. It is still unclear which fields the A.I. Alikhanyan National Scientific Laboratory and the Institute of Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia will fall under—“Technological” or “Classical”.

The Conservatory leadership has already presented its opinion and position regarding the unification of art universities in writing to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports last year. This has also been presented to the working group for the development of the strategy and the chairman of the scientific committee. YPK rector Sona Hovhannisyan publicly shared her and the university's leadership's stance during the scientific council meeting in February. The justifications for the university's disagreement with this project and suggestions were thoroughly presented, as stated in the message.

The university informs that during the rectorate meeting on March 6, they once again asked to inform the teaching staff of the conservatory about the official position of the university through deans and heads of departments.

The leadership of YPK understands and shares the concerns and genuine worries of the music community regarding the future of the only professional music higher institution in Armenia. The rectorate emphasized that the solution to this issue is only possible if the unified attitude of the teaching staff is presented thoughtfully, substantiated, and respectfully.

It should be noted that according to government programs, there are plans to relocate the “Academic City” by gathering universities and research universities on one platform. This project has caused discontent among many specialists in the field.

Additionally, YPK was established in 1923 as a higher educational institution for music.